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alice24
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…an if, was it worth the sweat? 
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Cruciferi
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How much money are you willing to spend? You better be willing to gut it down to the studs if necessary. Knob and tube wiring, mold, bad plumbing, termite damage, rodent damage, and lead paint are just some of the issues.
Watch This Old House and Mike Holmes they’re accurate.
Watch This Old House and Mike Holmes they’re accurate.
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alice24
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Difficult to say. We don´t have the money to do all things needed (electricity, roof, bath etc) today but we plan in the next years to buy an old house with the basics already done. Now we found an old famer´s house from the 1700´s for ca. 6000$ and well, it´s tempting (big area, room for business, a large family and animals) but as you can imagine for the price, nothing is done. We seriously thought of buying it and staying in our appartment and do whatever we can by ourselves in the next years so we can move in someday. I´m just not sure if it´s worth the work, or if it falls down because of the damaged roof (we can´t fix it know) until we have the money.
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christofirst
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When I did electrical work, the oldest building I ever worked on was built in the early 1920s, but it was still quite a learning experience, becoming familiar with the old building methods and trying to add what the client wanted while preserving the building as much as possible. Everything cost more and took longer to do. Of course, I was getting paid to work there, so the budget wasn’t my problem 
. It had been registered as a historic landmark, so tearing it down wasn’t an option.
. It had been registered as a historic landmark, so tearing it down wasn’t an option.
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alice24
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This is the thing with the object we found, too. But as far as I know the legal situation, we are allowed to let it stand without renovation even if this could lead to further damage. In germany, you are not allowed to do the electricity if you aren´t a professional, so on this field we would have to pay the money one day (aprox. 10k). At the moment, I don´t need electricity there (we could use it as weekend house for the first years) and as we love camping, we are good with fire and candles
What concerns me more is the roof and the sewage. The latter is only constructed unitl the property´s border.
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christofirst
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It sounds like it would be prudent to pay a building inspector to look at it and see if it is structurally sound. Check for termite damage or wood rot, a good foundation, and verify just how safe that questionable roof is. If I were younger and richer, I would be tempted to undertake such a project . Not so much now 
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. Not so much now .
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alice24
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This is good advice, thank you. We have friends who already renovated an old house and we will take them with us for having a look, as well as looking for a building inspector. As far as we know the walls are solid, wood rot is something we need to check out, but fortunately many walls are solid bricks.
We are young but definately not rich, and we know the costs are something that is doable only after years of saving for us. But on the other side, we could buy the house without loaning and…not much rational argumentation here, I know. Maybe romantic dreams. But I always loved those ancient houses.
We are young but definately not rich, and we know the costs are something that is doable only after years of saving for us. But on the other side, we could buy the house without loaning and…not much rational argumentation here, I know. Maybe romantic dreams. But I always loved those ancient houses.
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alice24
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Maybe I´m a bit weird but this is eye candy for me…
Maybe I´m a bit weird but this is eye candy for me…
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Cruciferi
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Yup. My philosophy as well.
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Cruciferi
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Solution
Solution
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Cruciferi
Guest
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Live like the Gypsies and move around
Live like the Gypsies and move around
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alice24
Guest
We have exactly this tent for our longer camping trips
I would go for the more weather stabil mongol yurt, but then there´s your biggest enemy, the german building construction law - it´s forbidden
I would go for the more weather stabil mongol yurt, but then there´s your biggest enemy, the german building construction law - it´s forbidden
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alice24
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graciew
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Yes,we have renovated very old buildings in our family.
I agree with Cruciferi about an inspector.
And an architect ,somebody qualified to tell you exactly where you are standing with this undertaking.
Until then,you won t know …
Our experience was special because they were buildings that belonged to the family. So we were determined to do it.
My husband is very careful when it comes to building,so that was the difficult part and it went fine.
Mine was mostly choosing whatever apart from construction proper building materials,pipes,et etc etc. That is to say, my part was more aesthetical… I loved every minute of it.
You ve got to love the project. We did. Otherwise ,it might be easier to build from scratch or buy something newer.
In any case,there is a need for some cash flow to make it immediately inhabitable .That is kind of a given. Normally electricity and water pipes have to be replaced.
But again,until it is thoroughly inspected,you won t know where you are standing.
Love the idea btw . All the best!
I agree with Cruciferi about an inspector.
And an architect ,somebody qualified to tell you exactly where you are standing with this undertaking.
Until then,you won t know …
Our experience was special because they were buildings that belonged to the family. So we were determined to do it.
My husband is very careful when it comes to building,so that was the difficult part and it went fine.
Mine was mostly choosing whatever apart from construction proper building materials,pipes,et etc etc. That is to say, my part was more aesthetical… I loved every minute of it.
You ve got to love the project. We did. Otherwise ,it might be easier to build from scratch or buy something newer.
In any case,there is a need for some cash flow to make it immediately inhabitable .That is kind of a given. Normally electricity and water pipes have to be replaced.
But again,until it is thoroughly inspected,you won t know where you are standing.
Love the idea btw . All the best!
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alice24
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Exactly our story. We “escaped” in another cheaper county to change this.
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Irishmom2
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Oldest house I worked on and own was built in 1900. My advice is you must have a good roof over all of it or nothing you do will matter. Whatever you do could be ruined if you don’t have a good roof right from the start.
We did get a new roof, have the house rewired, replumbed on one floor, new heating system for 2 floors. (It’s a duplex.)
I have learned how to repair plaster walls, reglaze windows, do tile work. I have done all of the painting, and landscaping.
If you are willing and able to do some work yourself, you can really save money and know the work is done correctly.
Is it for everyone? Nope. You have to know what your limitations are. You have to research what things cost to do before you buy a place and decide if it is worth it, and affordable. It can be a very rewarding experience.
We did get a new roof, have the house rewired, replumbed on one floor, new heating system for 2 floors. (It’s a duplex.)
I have learned how to repair plaster walls, reglaze windows, do tile work. I have done all of the painting, and landscaping.
If you are willing and able to do some work yourself, you can really save money and know the work is done correctly.
Is it for everyone? Nope. You have to know what your limitations are. You have to research what things cost to do before you buy a place and decide if it is worth it, and affordable. It can be a very rewarding experience.
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alice24
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This is what worries me the most. If we had money for a roof, we would make the roof new and wait with every other investment until we have more cash. But I have no reliable information how much this will cost.
Every calculation I see here in germany is for people who want average standard - isolation, comfort, and, they have usually budget. I can´t find a single calculation only for “roof have to be closed and secure, nothing else”. And I doubt it´s something we could do ourselves.
We will visit the building tomorrow. Honestly, we have not a single dollar more than the price for the building to buy, but on the other hand, the chance is tempting…
And yes, we love such projects. My husband and me are into historical reconstructions and handicrafts and like to do things by ourselves. Work wouldn´t be the problem - costs will be.
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Irishmom2
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I can see how it’s tempting. If the roof were good I can see it even more. But if you know it is bad, or it leaks, you risk more damage to the walls and the floors if you can’t afford to fix it right away. If you don’t have any money for the roof, I wouldn’t suggest buying it. (But I would go see it and pick the agents brain as to what things cost and other considerations.)
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graciew
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So are we. And we also keep doing a lot ourselves.
There are things that can wait and things that can t.
Structurally is has to be safe and sound.
Ours are from circa 1850. Adobe the old part.
When there was a tornado,the newest parts suffered,the old: not one bit.
Some of the walls had to be refilled with " cerecita",a material that will isolate ground moisture when remodelled.
If the structure is safe and sound,or once it is,you can always confine yourselves to a room or a couple of rooms.
It is much better, as Cajun says, under protective " family wings "
It really feels like flying to help you!
You have been given sound advice
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alice24
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Ok, a little update
The house was already saled.
For a million mice, spiders, and whatever feels comfortable in a ruin. he roof wasn´t existent, the building wasn´t open for visitation, demolition permit has already been given. The company who is responsible for the sale has pictures who are aprox. 5 years old (the thickness of the tree growing inside the front wall tells me this).
So, no moving for us.
Another strange chance appeared for us. We waited for out taxi and I noticed another building for sale in a far better condition from a private seller. I called the mobile number and the man wants - because of the better condition (house with electricity, sewage is ok, two solid garages) - of course a way more than the other house (ahem, sorry, the ruin) would cost, but he is open for the idea of a) a private loan (I dislike loans, generally) or b) hire purchase.
The second is something we will think about.
The house was already saled.
For a million mice, spiders, and whatever feels comfortable in a ruin. he roof wasn´t existent, the building wasn´t open for visitation, demolition permit has already been given. The company who is responsible for the sale has pictures who are aprox. 5 years old (the thickness of the tree growing inside the front wall tells me this).
So, no moving for us.
Another strange chance appeared for us. We waited for out taxi and I noticed another building for sale in a far better condition from a private seller. I called the mobile number and the man wants - because of the better condition (house with electricity, sewage is ok, two solid garages) - of course a way more than the other house (ahem, sorry, the ruin) would cost, but he is open for the idea of a) a private loan (I dislike loans, generally) or b) hire purchase.
The second is something we will think about.
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